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Actual Biscuit Harm

New rules are forcing police to record minor incident as violent crimes.

The government has introduced changes to the way incidents should be logged. Police are now forced to record minor incidents such as violent crimes. Among the cases involves a young child who caught his sibling with a boxing globe, which was recorded as actual bodily harm and a woman who threw a biscuit at a man, which left a small red mark on him.

Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Stephen Bett said: "You could not make this up. I am sure people will find these examples of what the police are having to record as violent crime hard to believe to say the least. I frankly couldn't believe what I was reading.

"Is it any wonder we have seen a rise in recorded violent crime in Norfolk if these types of incidents have to be logged?"

The National Police Chiefs Council's lead for crime recording, Chief Constable Jeff Farrar, of Gwent Police, said it meant there was "little room for further assessment or the use of professional discretion which may have historically taken place".

He added: "Consequently a number of forces have seen a sharp rise in some offences such as assault without injury, criminal damage and public order."